The Universal Church celebrates the Optional Memorial of St. George, Martyr (d. 304), although England celebrates St. George with a Solemnity. Little is known of him except that he was a soldier and martyr. Veneration of St. George comes from the east, probably from Palestine where he was held in high honor as a martyr. Regarded as the patron of Christian armies, he is venerated under this title by the Latins as well as by the Greeks. He is included as one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers.